Data from: The Yin and the Yang of Prediction: an fMRI study of semantic predictive processing

Probabilistic prediction plays a crucial role in language comprehension. When predictions are fulfilled, the resulting facilitation allows for fast, efficient processing of ambiguous, rapidly-unfolding input; when predictions are not fulfilled, the resulting error signal allows us to adapt to broader statistical changes in this input. We used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to examine the neuroanatomical networks engaged in semantic predictive processing and adaptation. We used a relatedness proportion semantic priming paradigm, in which we manipulated the probability of predictions while holding local semantic context constant. Under conditions of higher (versus lower) predictive validity, we replicate previous observations of reduced activity to semantically predictable words in the left anterior superior/middle temporal cortex, reflecting facilitated processing of targets that are consistent with prior semantic predictions. In addition, under conditions of higher (versus lower) predictive validity we observed significant differences in the effects of semantic relatedness within the left inferior frontal gyrus and the posterior portion of the left superior/middle temporal gyrus. We suggest that together these two regions mediated the suppression of unfulfilled semantic predictions and lexico-semantic processing of unrelated targets that were inconsistent with these predictions. Moreover, under conditions of higher (versus lower) predictive validity, a functional connectivity analysis showed that the left inferior frontal and left posterior superior/middle temporal gyrus were more tightly interconnected with one another, as well as with the left anterior cingulate cortex. The left anterior cingulate cortex was, in turn, more tightly connected to superior lateral frontal cortices and subcortical regions — a network that mediates rapid learning and adaptation and that may have played a role in switching to a more predictive mode of processing in response to the statistical structure of the wider environmental context. Together, these findings highlight close links between the networks mediating semantic prediction, executive function and learning, giving new insights into how our brains are able to flexibly adapt to our environment.概率预测（probabilistic prediction）在语言理解过程中发挥着至关重要的作用。当预测得到验证时，由此产生的易化效应可实现对模糊且快速呈现的输入信息的快速、高效加工；而当预测未得到验证时，由此产生的误差信号则可帮助我们适配该输入中更广泛的统计分布变化。本研究采用功能磁共振成像（functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging）技术，探究参与语义预测加工（semantic predictive processing）与适应性调控的神经解剖网络。本研究采用关联性比例语义启动范式（relatedness proportion semantic priming paradigm），在保持局部语义语境恒定的前提下，对预测概率进行操纵。在较高（相较于较低）预测效度的实验条件下，本研究重复了既往研究的发现：左侧前上/中颞叶皮层对语义可预测词的激活水平降低，这一现象反映了与先前语义预测相符的目标词加工得到了易化。此外，在较高（相较于较低）预测效度的条件下，我们观察到左侧额下回与左侧上/中颞叶后部内的语义关联性效应存在显著差异。我们认为，这两个脑区共同介导了未验证语义预测的抑制过程，以及与上述预测不符的无关目标词的词汇语义加工（lexico-semantic processing）。此外，在较高（相较于较低）预测效度的条件下，功能连接分析（functional connectivity analysis）结果显示，左侧额下回与左侧上/中颞叶后部之间，以及二者与左侧前扣带回皮层（anterior cingulate cortex）之间的功能连接均更为紧密。而左侧前扣带回皮层进一步与上外侧额叶皮层及皮层下区域形成更为紧密的连接——该网络介导了快速学习与适应性调控过程，且可能在根据更广泛环境背景的统计结构切换至更强预测性加工模式的过程中发挥了作用。综上，本研究结果揭示了介导语义预测、执行功能与学习的脑网络之间存在紧密联系，为理解人类大脑如何灵活适配周遭环境提供了新的视角。